Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The treatment was nearly complete, and the pain tormenting Kotoe began to fade away. Her face, now peaceful, showed faint signs of waking up.

The treatment finished just before Kotoe regained consciousness.

Kushina wiped the sweat from her face, her expression weary as she stood up, the tip of a blade still pressed against her neck, following her movements.

"It's done." Ignoring the blade at her throat, Kushina quietly looked at Ye Zi, her face calm and composed.

Meeting her gaze, Ye Zi returned the same calmness; at that moment, they were in perfect harmony, their eyes meeting across what seemed to be an invisible wall.

"Thank you," Ye Zi said suddenly, a genuine note of gratitude in his voice, though the sight of him holding Rin hostage somewhat dampened the sentiment.

Kushina's gaze wavered, but then steadied again. "Spare me the thanks," she replied firmly. "Honor your promise. Release Rin."

"Not yet," Ye Zi replied coldly.

"Then when?"

"Not now."

"Why?"

"Do I look that naive?"

"You're such a jerk."

"Yep."

Their unbroken exchange left Team Seven momentarily speechless.

Ye Zi shifted his gaze toward Kotoba, whose closed eyes trembled as she began to awaken.

Kushina followed Ye Zi's line of sight, looking at Kotoe. After receiving such careful treatment, she seemed out of danger, though the memory of her previous state would likely stay with Kushina for a long time.

"Ugh…" Kotoe let out a small groan, and her eyelids shot open. Realizing she was lying on the ground, she reflexively leaped to her feet, a pair of poisonous senbon appearing in her hands.

Only two left…

This reaction didn't prompt any mocking from those present; instead, it was a response expected of a capable shinobi.

"Huh?"

As Kotoe processed the situation, her gaze swept over her surroundings, finally landing on Ye Zi, who was holding Rin hostage. She paused, noticing Kushina nearby. What was she doing here?

"Come over here," Ye Zi said to Kotoe.

Kotoe quickly crossed the distance, moving to Ye Zi's side. It was then that she noticed her injuries were completely healed, and she glanced at Kushina.

Having spent some time in the Leaf Village, she understood that Kushina was Tsunade's apprentice and possessed excellent medical skills. So, it must have been Kushina who healed her.

Why would she heal an enemy? The answer seemed to lie in the girl Ye Zi was holding captive.

Her initial questions quickly faded as she pieced together a likely explanation.

Naturally, she wouldn't ask unnecessary questions at this point. She simply stood silently beside Ye Zi, casting a curious look at Kushina, a woman who had intrigued her for a while.

"Ye Zi, the situation favors us," Shin said as he observed Kushina.

With Kotoe now healed, he couldn't help feeling relieved. However, he felt no gratitude toward Kushina, as they were enemies.

With his weapon positioned at Kushina's throat and Ye Zi holding Rin, the situation was undeniably in their favor.

Hearing Shin's words, Rin, Obito, and Kakashi all tensed, sensing the threat in his tone that implied they might break their promise.

"This is taking a turn for the worst. Kushina-sensei and Rin are both restrained. How can we reverse this?" Kakashi thought, frustrated. Though he found Kushina-sensei's actions foolish, he focused only on how to save his comrades.

People are easily influenced by their surroundings...

The genius who once valued missions above all else had now become a shinobi who prioritized his comrades.

"If you dare to hurt Rin or Kushina-sensei…"

Obito's Sharingan eyes glinted with something unusual—almost… beautiful.

Yes, beautiful.

It was a striking Sharingan, brimming with a sense of endless potential.

At that moment, his eyes conveyed a clear message: "I mean what I say."

"I swear, I'll kill you!"

Obito's tone held no hint of doubt; it was filled with deadly seriousness.

"Obito…" Kakashi noticed the change in him, sensing that he had matured. Even if his timing was questionable, he refrained from his usual sarcastic response.

Kushina couldn't help but smile softly at Obito's words. She had always liked his spirit, even if now was not the most appropriate time. Still, his intentions were genuine.

"Obito…" Rin looked at him, her eyes meeting his.

In response to Rin's gaze, Obito gave her the perfect reply.

I'll protect you… his eyes seemed to say, reminding her of his earlier promise.

Rin couldn't help but smile, despite the danger surrounding them.

She had always encouraged him to keep going, worried he might stop; now, it seemed he no longer needed her to push him forward…

Perhaps now, she could just watch him chase his dreams in silence.

Shin scoffed at Obito's words. "Uchiha brat, it seems you're still not aware of the situation."

Obito's crimson eyes locked onto Shin's—a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, marking him as a member of the Uchiha clan, yet Obito had never seen him before.

He remained silent, glancing briefly at Jin before turning back to Ye Zi, who appeared calm.

Kushina watched Ye Zi as well, waiting for his decision.

"Shin, lower your weapon," Ye Zi said quietly.

Though Shin felt reluctant, he immediately complied, stepping back to Ye Zi's side, positioning himself beside Kotoe.

"And Rin," Kushina said.

"I'll leave her on the other side of that forest," Ye Zi replied. "I want you all to stay here for ten minutes."

"No way," Kakashi objected immediately.

Ye Zi turned his gaze on Kakashi, his tone icy. "Oh? The son of Konoha's White Fang?"

His words and tone were casual, as if he were saying, "Oh, the son of the White Fang, I didn't notice you there."

After saying this, he turned to Kushina, leaving the choice in her hands.

Hearing Ye Zi's comment, Kakashi's face darkened. It reminded him of how he often teased Obito; now, he found himself on the receiving end.

"Ten minutes is too long," Kushina replied, taking a step back.

"Ten minutes," Ye Zi repeated.

Kushina hesitated, weighing her options, then looked at him with resolve. "Alright, I'll agree."

"Kushina-sensei…" Obito murmured, concerned.

"It'll be fine, Obito, Kakashi, Rin. Trust me," Kushina said.

She looked steadily into Ye Zi's unflinching gaze, her expression sincere.

Ye Zi's face remained impassive. Forming a hand sign, he summoned a shadow clone with half of his remaining chakra to monitor the others.

"Let's go, Kotoe, Shin."

Leaving the clone to watch them, Ye Zi retreated with Rin in tow, heading toward the forest.

Kotoe and Shin followed suit.

If we can complete the mission and leave unharmed, this is the best outcome, Kotoe thought.

To avoid worrying the others, Rin tried to keep calm, giving them a look that said, "Don't worry about me."

As the three disappeared into the forest with Rin, Kakashi could no longer hold back. "Kushina-sensei, this is reckless."

"I know, but he won't break his promise," Kushina replied.

When Kakashi looked ready to protest, Obito spoke first. "Kakashi, I don't trust that man…"

Obito, his three-tomoe Sharingan activated, looked intently at Kakashi.

"…But I do trust Kushina-sensei."

Kakashi sighed, glancing at Ye Zi's shadow clone, which stood silently observing them.

Their conversation was hardly private.

"Uchiha brat, you've got impressive eyes," Ye Zi's shadow clone remarked suddenly, a hint of admiration in his tone. "And especially… a good gaze."

Obito scoffed, refusing to respond.

The ten minutes were nearly up.

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Currently on Chapter 333 - The Best Human Puppet Material